The Feast of Corpus Christi

“It is invaluable to converse with Christ, and leaning against Jesus’ breast like his beloved disciple, we can feel the infinite love of his Heart. We learn to know more deeply the One who gave Himself totally, in the different mysteries of his divine and human life, so that we may become disciples and in turn enter into this great act of giving, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. ‘Following Christ is not an outward imitation, since it touches man at the very depths of his being’ (Veritatis splendor, n. 21). We are called to learn from him, gradually to be conformed to him, to let the Spirit act within us and to fulfil the mission entrusted to us. In particular, Christ’s love spurs us to work constantly for the unity of his Church, to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to serve men, ‘we who are many are one body, for we all partake of one bread’ (1 Cor 10:16) such is the Good News which gladdens man’s heart and shows him that he is called to take part in the blessed life with God. The Eucharistic mystery is the source, the centre and the summit of the Church’s spiritual and charitable activity (cf. Presbyterorum ordinis, n. 6).” ~St. John Paul II, pope